In early March, the domestic industry announced the launch of mass production of the newest multipurpose vehicle intended for use by the army and security forces. A project of a "buggy" class car was created by the efforts of several enterprises. To date, one model of such equipment has been brought to mass production, while a second similar project is still in development.
New projects of automobile technology under the general name "Chaborz" (Chechen. "Bear and Wolf") are of great interest for several reasons at once. First of all, the reason for interest is the very fact of the creation of such projects by the domestic industry. For certain reasons, despite the needs of the army and other structures, the Russian industry has not yet been able to establish the production of the required buggies. The second interesting feature of projects is the approach to their creation. Several different organizations were involved in the design. In addition, when developing Chaborz vehicles, existing developments and units are widely used.
Buggy "Chaborz" M-3 at the training ground. Photo International Special Forces Training Center
The initiator of the development of promising domestic buggies was the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov. Commenting on the recent successes of the new project, he mentioned that the niche of light armed vehicles in our country is now fully occupied by foreign developments due to the lack of domestic counterparts. Taking into account this problem, R. Kadyrov last autumn ordered to develop his own similar projects, and then supervised the work. After the construction of the experimental equipment, the head of Chechnya took the opportunity to check the car in person.
Several industrial organizations and law enforcement agencies were involved in the work on the project, which later received the name "Chaborz". The design was carried out by the Moscow region company "F-Motosport". The International Training Center for Special Forces (Gudermes) also played an important role in the project. The Chechenavto plant (Argun) was chosen as a manufacturer of experimental and serial equipment. Also, some other enterprises are participating in the new project as subcontractors and suppliers of individual structural elements. For example, at the moment only the assembly of equipment is carried out in Argun, although in the future it is planned to increase the share of components produced in the immediate vicinity of the assembly line.
On March 4, the authors of the project announced the completion of all preliminary work on the Chaborz M-3 project and the start of serial production of such equipment. Now the Chechenavto enterprise is ready to accept orders and produce serial buggies. The possibility of producing up to three dozen cars per month has been announced. The manufacturer is reportedly planning to carry out only SKD assembly so far. Subsequently, it is planned to master the production of more components, which will accordingly affect the complexity of production.
Two M-3s during a demonstration on March 4. Frame from the TASS report
The M-3 type machine can be produced in two main modifications. The first is intended for use by security forces or the military. In this regard, she receives funds for the installation of weapons and other special equipment. Having lost such equipment, the car can be used by civilians. The cost of serial equipment has already been announced. The military version of "Chaborz" will cost the customer 1.5 million rubles, the civilian version - 1.1 million.
It is reported that a new machine may appear in the Chaborz family in the foreseeable future. The project with the designation M-6 aims to create an enlarged vehicle with increased carrying capacity. It is assumed that such a buggy will not only preserve, but also to a certain extent increase the potential of the already presented sample. Due to its large size, the M-6 will be able to carry up to six people. In addition, it will be possible to re-equip equipment in order to solve specific problems. On the basis of a larger buggy, a multi-purpose tractor, an ambulance, a reconnaissance and strike complex, etc. can be created.
To date, only the Chaborz M-3 project has been implemented in metal. The second car is still at the design stage and can only be presented to the general public in the form of images from artists. Nevertheless, the authors of the projects have already published some information about the new technique that can help in drawing the big picture.
Front machine gun mount. Frame from the TASS report
The presented buggy M-3 is a typical representative of its class and has a traditional architecture for this technique. In order to ensure the required characteristics, a powerful frame was used, welded from a large number of pipes, on top of which only a few elements of the outer skin are installed. At the same time, certain measures were taken to solve combat missions. Despite its small size, the vehicle can carry people, cargo and weapons.
The main element of the "Chaborz" car is a frame assembled from pipes. It has a wedge-shaped front part with fasteners for mounting parts of the front axle. Behind the front compartment, the frame expands to form the cab. From above, the crew of the car is protected by a metal roof sheet, which can also be used for stowing the necessary cargo. The rear part of the frame has a compartment for installing the engine and parts of the transmission units. Above the engine, a small platform is provided for certain cargo.
The Chechenavto enterprise is currently assembling Lada cars, which in a certain way affected the design of promising buggies. So, the M-3 car is equipped with a serial VAZ engine. The gearbox is borrowed from the Grant car, and the steering systems were taken from the serial Kalina. It also provides for the use of various other off-the-shelf components. This approach to the selection of components and assemblies should have a positive effect on the complexity and cost of production.
M-3, rear view. Frame from the TASS report
The M-3 car has a two-axle chassis with a 4x2 wheel arrangement. The existing transmission provides only the rear axle drive. The machine has an independent suspension of all four wheels with an inclined arrangement of the elastic elements of the front axle and vertical on the rear. In case of any incidents during the execution of assigned tasks, the buggy carries a spare wheel. It is located on the frame mounts at the rear left of the frame.
The sample supplied in the series is capable of transporting up to three people or an equivalent load. The driver is seated in an open cockpit at the port side. At his workplace there is a steering column, gear and parking brake levers, and a compact instrument panel. A low-height windshield is provided in front of the driver. The glass does not reach the starboard side, allowing the use of the weapon. The passenger-gunner is located on the right seat of the cockpit. The third crew member is asked to ride in the back seat above the engine compartment. Depending on the tasks and other factors, the car can take cargo on board. They should be transported on the roof of the cab, on the sides, etc. The carrying capacity of the buggy is 250 kg.
One of the M-3 version of the Chaborza model presented at the beginning of March was armed. At the level of the windshield, a machine-gun mount was mounted in the cockpit, which provides weapon guidance in two planes. Due to the use of such a device installed on one of the frame tubes, it was necessary to reduce the width of the glazing. The shooter who is next to the driver is invited to use the PKM machine gun. Another gun mount is located in the rear passenger seat. Behind the third crew member, there is a rack with mounts for weapons. The presented car carried an automatic grenade launcher on this installation.
A grenade launcher on the stern installation. Frame from the TASS report
According to official data, the new M-3 multipurpose vehicle is designed for operation in mountainous or steppe terrain, as well as in deserts. The vehicle is said to have passed the required tests and confirmed the design specifications. The successful completion of the tests allowed the launch of serial production. There is a possibility of producing several dozen serial machines per month.
In parallel with the deployment of the M-3 type equipment, the development of the M-6 buggy continues. In this case, we are talking about an oversized car, characterized by a corresponding increase in the main characteristics. First of all, by increasing the size of the machine, it is planned to increase the carrying capacity to 800 kg. Thanks to this, it will become possible to create not only transport vehicles for transporting people or goods, but also the development of special modifications with various equipment or weapons.
"Chaborz" in the M-6 version must retain the frame structure with the installation of a certain number of sheathing sheets. At the same time, the new car should differ in increased dimensions. Having brought the total length of the car to 4, 3 m, the authors of the project intend to double the cab, making it two-row. In addition, it becomes possible to increase the stern cargo area, ensuring the transportation of larger cargo.
According to published information, the larger buggy will be powered by a 150-200 hp engine. At the same time, the possibility of using a gasoline engine or a diesel-electric hybrid system is being considered. It is possible to use an automatic or manual transmission. The machine's transmission will drive all four wheels. The M-6 will be able to reach speeds of up to 130 km / h. The use of power steering is assumed.
M-3 on trials. Photo International Special Forces Training Center
Depending on the configuration, the Chaborz M-6 can carry up to six people, including the driver. For them, seats with five-point seat belts will be installed. A certain ride comfort will be provided by the presence of low sides and small frontal glazing. If necessary, the buggy will be able to perform the functions of an ambulance. By folding the rear row seats and removing the cargo from the aft platform, the crew will be able to take on board two lying wounded on a stretcher. To transport the latter, the car will receive standard mountings.
The larger multipurpose vehicle will need to retain the front machine gun mount, mounted next to the windshield. It is also possible to use additional devices of a similar purpose. They can be mounted on the side racks of the frame and are intended for weapons controlled by passengers in the back row. The most important difference of the M-6 project, directly related to the increased size of the cockpit, is the presence of a turret on the roof. On such an installation, the buggy will be able to carry a large-caliber machine gun capable of firing at targets in all directions. It cannot be ruled out that in the future the upper turret may be used to mount weapons of other classes.
The used modular packaging principle allows you to form the configuration of equipment in accordance with the existing goals and objectives. It can be assumed that in the future the M-6 buggy will be able to take on board not only small arms. Of particular interest in some contexts may be, for example, the modification of equipment with an anti-tank missile system. In addition, the possibility of equipping the vehicle with special reconnaissance equipment cannot be ruled out.
On the move over rough terrain. Photo International Special Forces Training Center
"Chaborz" M-6 will have a length of about 4.3 m, a width of 1.9 m and a height of 1.8 m. The total weight is about 1500 kg. It should be borne in mind that these parameters may change noticeably in the course of further development of the project. In addition, the ability to install various weapons or equipment and other factors can accordingly change both the geometric and weight indicators of the finished equipment.
The timing of the start of serial production of the larger buggy has not yet been specified. Perhaps the design work and testing will be completed before the end of this year, after which the car will go into series. However, official data on this matter have not yet been published.
The two newest projects of the Chaborz family are of great interest in the context of the rearmament of the army and the development of military equipment. First of all, this interest is associated with the actual absence of such samples in the range of products of the domestic defense industry. Various units of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies often need such light multipurpose vehicles, but due to the lack of domestic samples, the equipment had to be purchased abroad. The two new projects have a definite chance of rectifying this situation and making the security forces less dependent on imports.
Description of the future buggy "Chaborz" M-6. International Special Forces Training Center
The appearance of the presented M-3 machine and the still projected M-6 clearly indicates that the authors of the projects developed new equipment, taking into account foreign experience and developments. As a result, from the point of view of the general appearance of the machine "Chaborz" almost do not differ from similar foreign models. At the same time, there may be differences in technical and operational characteristics directly related to the use of different components and assemblies.
According to the statements of representatives of the organizations participating in the project, the Chechenavto enterprise is capable of producing up to 30 Chaborz vehicles per month. At the same time, information about the actual production load and available orders has not yet been reported. It can be assumed that the security forces and the military, showing interest in such equipment, can indeed order a certain number of new vehicles. In addition, a full-fledged and successful entry into the civilian market cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, while such prospects for the M-3 and M-6 projects can only be a topic for forecasts.
Seeing the needs of customers, the domestic industry has created the first projects in a new category for itself. Through the joint efforts of a number of enterprises, in just a few months, the first project of a promising multipurpose buggy was created. This machine has already been delivered in series and can be supplied to customers. The second project is still at the development stage, but in the foreseeable future it may reach the stage of construction and testing of experimental equipment. Thus, while the family of special equipment "Chaborz" looks very interesting and may have certain prospects. Time will tell whether two samples will be able to meet expectations.
